Author: ClaV
Date: 2015-02-23 16:52
clarinetguy wrote:
> I suppose one could also make the same argument about the viola
> in the orchestra. A violin and a cello can cover everything a
> viola can, so why bother with them? The answer (in spite of a
> lot of viola jokes) is that violas do add something, and an
> orchestra wouldn't sound the same without them.
Exactly, the main reason to use Eb alto clarinet is its unique tone colour (along the same lines as large-bore Bb clarinets sound differently).
The main deterrent for Eb alto clarinets, as I see it, is a vicious economics-manufacturing-popularity cycle. It is nearly-impossible to make a perfect clarinet, and very difficult to make a very good one. A lot of efforts/cost goes into a clarinet design. With not many users, simpler instruments are produced, which, in turn, causes them to be less used due to inferior tuning/sound (I witnessed professional clarinetists totally dismissing Eb alto as an inferior instrument).
The same goes for the basset horn, which is quite close in range and tone colour to Eb alto. The basset horn (similar to a basset clarinet), can be argued, survived largely because of Mozart. Otherwise, it is not used much.
I've seen how basset horns were rented to perform Mozart (once in a few years undertaking) and how challenging it was to play on those old instruments that were far from perfect adjustments.
Along these lines, I would love that basset clarinets will be more advocated and played along the passion of Mozart and Stadler. At least basset clarinets only require a custom lower joint.
Then, in another important part of that viscous cycle of popularity - more music will be composed for these clarinets - and hopefully some music impossible not to be played!
More music and more players are what every instrument needs!
Post Edited (2015-02-23 16:59)
|
|
The Clarinet BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
